NY Times, July 5, 2003
Criticism of a Hero Divides Blacks
By RACHEL L. SWARNS
WASHINGTON, July 4  When the TransAfrica Forum decided to speak out last
month against Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, for condoning the
jailing, beating and killing of black opposition party supporters, it
shouldn't have been all that surprising.
After all, for decades, TransAfrica, a research and lobbying group based
here, has been speaking out on the struggles of Africans on the continent
and elsewhere.
In the 1980's, for instance, it led the anti-apartheid marches that helped
press the American government to change its policy of "constructive
engagement" with the white government of South Africa. In the 90's the
group protested against the repressive black regimes in Haiti and Nigeria.
In this latest action TransAfrica's president and other prominent black
Americans from Africa Action, an advocacy group here; Howard University;
and church and labor unions wrote a public letter to Mr. Mugabe, assailing
what they described as the "increasing intolerant, repressive and violent
policies of your government."
But the decision to condemn Mr. Mugabe publicly  which was hailed as long
overdue in some quarters  has also touched off an outcry among some black
intellectuals, activists and Africa watchers. Mr. Mugabe, who has led
Zimbabwe since white rule ended in 1980, is still considered a hero by some
African-Americans. And in some e-mail messages and on radio talk shows, the
signers of the letter have been described as politically naïve, sellouts
and misguided betrayers of Africa's liberation struggle.
Angry critics have sent e-mail messages to those who signed the letter,
saying in one instance that they "do not represent African-Americans." On a
left-leaning radio station in New York City, WBAI-FM, several people have
called to complain. "Whatever black Africans in Zimbabwe decide to do,"
said a caller who identified herself as Missy from Queens, "I think black
Africans here, we should join them."
full: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/05/arts/05TRAN.html
Louis Proyect, Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org